In a mirror reel, two groups of dancers are separately performing reels, usually on
the sides. The only significant difference from an ordinary reel is that there
is symmetry about a line through the middle of the dance. Typically, the
second couple face up and the first couple face down, with the men performing a right
shoulder reel and the ladies performing a left shoulder reel. This means that the
first couple are moving towards each other at the start of the figure. They may touch
hands as they do so.

The diagram below shows the direction of the dancers; for a detailed explanation
of how the reels themselves progress, see the
reel of three description.